Environmental Rules in Lawton, OK (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Lawton, Oklahoma, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Lawton City Code Section 19A-1-2-123 makes every developer or property owner responsible for controlling stormwater leaving their land and for not altering historic runoff onto upstream or downstream property. Developers must build stormwater storage and drainage improvements sized to the city's Stormwater Drainage Policy, and construction on tracts under one acre is exempt from providing detention.
Lawton Developers Must Control Stormwater Runoff
Some RestrictionsLawton City Code § 19A-1-2-123
19A-1-2-123 - Responsibility of developer/owner for storm drainage improvements. It shall be the responsibility of the developer/owner to control the stormwater runoff leaving his/her property and not to cause a change in the historic runoff characteristics of the upstream or downstream area. The developer/owner shall also not cause the existing storm drainage system to exceed the capacity as d...
Erosion Control
Before grading, filling, or otherwise disturbing one acre or more of land in Lawton, a developer must obtain an Earth Change Permit under Section 19A-1-2-128, install erosion and sediment control measures first, and keep them maintained throughout construction. Violations carry administrative fines of $200.00 to $1,000.00 per day and possible stop-work orders.
Lawton Requires Earth Change Permit for Erosion Control
Significant RestrictionsLawton City Code § 19A-1-2-128
19A-1-2-128 - Earth change permit. The purpose of the Earth Change Permit is to ensure that erosion and sediment control measures are in place before vegetation removal or dirt work begins and to ensure that these measures are properly maintained and functioning throughout the construction process. A.Earth Change Permit.1.Unless specifically exempted under this section, an Earth Change Permit s...
Flood Zones
Lawton requires a special flood hazard development permit and fee payment before any development occurs in a designated special flood hazard area, under Section 19A-2-1-209. The city adopted its floodplain regulations under state authority in 82 O.S. §§ 1601-1618 to minimize flood losses citywide.
Lawton Requires a Flood Development Permit
Significant RestrictionsLawton City Code § 19A-2-1-209
19A-2-1-209 - Establishment of development permit. A special flood hazard development permit shall be required to ensure conformance with the provisions of this article. A special flood hazard development permit and payment of fees in accordance with the city's fee schedule shall be required prior to development in a designated special flood hazard area.
Boat Dock Permits
Anyone who wants to own, lease, occupy, construct, enlarge, or remodel a boat dock, boathouse, or slip on Lake Ellsworth or Lake Lawtonka must first obtain a City of Lawton dock unit permit under Section 19-5-501. A separate space permit, issued only when space is available, plus fee payment under the fee schedule, is required before any structure may be placed.
Lawton Requires Dock Unit Permits at City Lakes
Some RestrictionsLawton City Code § 19-5-501
19-5-501 - Permit required—Requirements—Space permit—Fees. A.A permit shall be obtained from the city to own, lease, occupy, construct, enlarge, or remodel any building unit or other structure on or near a dock or a city-owned lake at Lake Ellsworth or Lake Lawtonka. For the purpose of this article, the permit required in this article is called a "dock unit permit." ... Each request must be acc...
Flood Elevation Requirements
New construction and substantial improvements in Lawton's special flood hazard areas must elevate the lowest floor at least two feet above the base flood elevation, whether residential or commercial. A registered engineer, architect, or land surveyor must certify compliance to the floodplain administrator before a building permit issues for above-slab construction, with a second certificate required before occupancy.
Lawton Base Flood Elevation Freeboard Requirement
Some RestrictionsCity of Lawton, OK Code of Ordinances § 19A-2-4-242(A)(1)
Residential Construction - new construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated at least two (2) feet above the base flood elevation. A registered professional engineer, architect, or land surveyor shall submit a certification to the floodplain administrator that the standard of this subsection is satisfied before a ...